The fire crackled softly, its warm glow casting flickering shadows on the walls of the small clearing. Kuri sat cross-legged in front of the flames, her pale face bathed in the orange light. She held Kyo in his cat form in her lap, gently stroking his fur with absentminded movements, her eyes distant and locked on the fire.

"There's one thing we can do," she said finally, her voice quiet but resolute.

Haru, seated a few feet away with his arms resting on his knees, tilted his head toward her. His dark and light hair fell loosely over his face, his calm expression giving way to curiosity. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone soft.

Reiko, leaning against a nearby tree, stiffened at Kuri's words. "You're thinking of a vision quest, aren't you?" she said, her sharp green eyes narrowing.

At this, Kyo's ears perked up, and he turned his head to look at Kuri, his golden eyes filled with curiosity. Haru frowned, glancing between Kuri and Reiko. "A vision quest?" he repeated.

Reiko crossed her arms, her expression serious. "It's dangerous to do alone, even for Kuri. Especially for Kuri."

"Then I'll go with her," Haru said immediately, his voice steady. His eyes fixed on Kuri, and there was no hesitation in his words. "If it's dangerous, she's not doing it alone."

Kuri finally looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his. There was a flicker of something unspoken in her gaze—worry, hesitation, maybe even fear. "You don't even know what it entails," she said sharply.

"Then tell me," Haru replied calmly. "I don't care what it is. If it helps you—and if it helps us fix this—I'm going."

Kuri's gaze lingered on him, searching his face for a sign of doubt, but she found none. He wasn't just offering out of obligation; she could see his determination, the quiet resolve that always seemed to anchor her when she felt unsteady.

She sighed, turning back to the fire. "It's not simple. You'd have to leave your body. Your spirit would step into the past or the future, and you'd experience it as if you were really there. It's not like dreaming—it's real. And if you lose focus, you could get…lost."

"Lost how?" Haru asked, his brows furrowing.

"Your spirit could wander too far," Reiko explained, her tone serious. "You might latch onto a stray thought or memory and forget who you are, or why you're there. That's why it's dangerous. But Kuri is a priestess. She's like a beacon. If you stay close to her, she can guide you back."

"Well, that's convenient," Haru said with a faint smirk, leaning back slightly. "I don't plan on getting lost."

Kuri turned her gaze back to him, her expression softening just slightly. "You say that now, but it's not as easy as it sounds. You'd have to stay with me the whole time—no wandering off, no following your own memories."

Haru shrugged, his tone calm but firm. "I trust you. If you're there, I'll be fine."

Kuri blinked, surprised by the simplicity of his response. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. Haru's quiet confidence, his unwavering faith in her, stirred something unfamiliar in her chest. She looked away, her eyes returning to the fire.

Reiko raised an eyebrow at the exchange but didn't comment, though there was a faint smirk on her lips. "You're lucky, Haru. With Kuri guiding you, you won't get lost."

"Lucky me," Haru said lightly, though his gaze remained fixed on Kuri.

Kuri stayed silent, her mind whirling. She hadn't expected anyone to offer to go with her, let alone Haru. She knew the risks, the dangers of stepping into the unknown, and part of her hated the thought of putting anyone else in harm's way. But when she glanced at Haru again, she saw only calm determination in his expression.

Finally, she nodded. "If you're sure, then…you can come. But you stay with me. No wandering. No distractions. Haru stays Haru."

Haru smiled faintly, a warmth in his gaze that made Kuri's cheeks flush. "Deal."

Reiko stretched and pushed off the tree, clapping her hands together. "Well, I guess it's settled then. You two are going on a spirit journey. Should I pack snacks?"

"Not funny," Kuri muttered, but her lips twitched slightly.

Haru chuckled. "I don't know, snacks sound good."

Reiko grinned. "You'll thank me later."